What is the approximate duration of the initial training program for a Chatime franchise?
Chatime Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
r Store. (Article 3 and Clause 5.1 of the Franchise Agreement).
The Initial Training Program is designed to address all phases of the operation of a franchise business and your Chatime Store. The Initial Training Program involves approximately two weeks of instruction for up to a maximum of four persons trained together at the same time. We will provide additional Initial Training Programs for any additional personnel at your cost. (Article 3 of the Franchise Agreement).
The Initial Training Program must be successfully completed to our satisfaction. If you do not complete all training and certification requirements in a timely manner and in line with training
benchmarks and to our satisfaction, you will be liable for all additional training costs and your opening will be delayed, all costs incurred due to the delay will be borne by you. In the event you don't complete the approved training programs within a reasonable time, or as agreed to in writing with the franchisor, we retain the right to terminate your Franchise Agreement. (Article 3 of the Franchise Agreement).
We may require to you complete additional training or refresher courses. This includes a series of ongoing competency based training, for you, your senior managers, and any guarantors throughout the term of your agreement. Training will be conducted either in person, digitally or a combination of blended learning. All such training will be conducted in English. All such training must be successfully completed to our satisfaction. If you fail to complete the approved training programs in a timely manner and to our satisfaction, we will provide additional training at your cost at a location within your Territory or at such other location we determine.
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 27–35)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chatime's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the initial training program is designed to take approximately two weeks. This training is mandatory for all franchisees, their General Managers, and key management personnel. The program aims to cover all operational phases of the franchise business and the Chatime store. The initial training must start no earlier than two months before the store's opening date.
The training program accommodates up to four individuals simultaneously. If additional personnel require training, Chatime will provide it, but at the franchisee's expense. The FDD also states that a franchisee will be charged a $5,000 fee per Franchise Agreement for the initial training.
Successful completion of the initial training is a must. Failure to meet the training benchmarks in a timely manner may result in additional training costs and delays in the store's opening, with all associated costs borne by the franchisee. Chatime also retains the right to terminate the Franchise Agreement if the approved training programs are not completed within a reasonable timeframe or as agreed upon in writing.
Chatime may also require franchisees, senior managers, and guarantors to complete additional or refresher courses throughout the term of the agreement. This ongoing training may be conducted in person, digitally, or through a combination of methods, and must be successfully completed. Failure to do so may result in additional training at the franchisee's cost.